Oregon State star guard Gary Payton II surprised his NBA legend father by wearing his dad’s signature number 20 on the Beavers’ Senior Night instead of his own number 1 jersey. Of course, video of Payton surprising his parents with the decision was posted to Oregon State basketball’s official Twitter as well as that of Pac-12 Networks.
Special – that's the only word for it.@GaryPayton_20 and GP2. #GoBeavs pic.twitter.com/ow1uctU1f6
— Oregon State Hoops (@BeaverMBB) February 28, 2016
That is one proud papa.
#20 has come down from the rafters for one night, and one night only at @OregonStateMBB.https://t.co/VTnVXjdA6c
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) February 28, 2016
Payton Sr. wore the number during his four years in Corvallis, during which he averaged 18.1 points, 7.8 assists and 2.7 steals per game. He went on to be drafted second overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1990 NBA Draft and enjoyed a 17-year NBA career with Seattle, the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat during which he was known as “The Glove” for his pesky defense. He played in nine All-Star Games and won a championship with Miami in 2006 before being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.
And the younger Payton has followed in his father’s footsteps at Oregon State, becoming a fine playmaker and defender in his own right. He isn’t a top NBA prospect, but has done enough for the Beavers that he was allowed to wear the retired #20 jersey for one night, and to his father’s clear delight.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to Pac-12 Networks
